Uploaded July 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Optogenetics makes possible the control of neural activity with light. In this article, I ex- plore how the development of this experimental tool has brought about methodological and theoretical advances in the neurobiological study of memory. I begin with Semon’s distinction between the engram and the ecphory, explaining how these concepts present a methodological challenge to investigating memory. Optogenetics provides a way to inter- vene into the engram without the ecphory that, in turn, opens up new means for testing the- ories of memory error. I focus on a series of experiments where optogenetics is used to study false memory and forgetting.
Sarah Robins, University of Kansas
March 9, 2020
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Optogenetics makes possible the control of neural activity with light. In this article, I ex- plore how the development of this experimental tool has brought about methodological and theoretical advances in the neurobiological study of memory. I begin with Semon’s distinction between the engram and the ecphory, explaining how these concepts present a methodological challenge to investigating memory. Optogenetics provides a way to inter- vene into the engram without the ecphory that, in turn, opens up new means for testing the- ories of memory error. I focus on a series of experiments where optogenetics is used to study false memory and forgetting.
Sarah Robins, University of Kansas
March 9, 2020
Visit the Rotman website for more information on applications, events, project descriptions, and openings. rotman.uwo.ca
Follow The Rotman Institute on Twitter: twitter.com/rotmanphilo
Like The Rotman Institute on Facebook: facebook.com/rotmanphilosophy
Subscribe to our channel: youtube.com/user/rotmanphilosophy
